The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-23
ADDING TO THE GAS SUPPLY
A Strong Flow Of the Fuel Found in a
New Well on the Templeton Farm.
More Prospecting To Be Carried on in the
Same Locality-Judge Martindales Well
Near Greenfield Is Not Gusher.

A company OF capitalists-amone them some
of the richest men of the State-has been
quietly prospecting on the Tempeton farm,
eight miles northeast of this city. in the d.
rection OF Millersville. But little attention
locally has been given the company, as, when 1t
organized, the impression prevailed that its
operations were to be conducted about Temple
ton. Benton county. The mistake arose
through its being termed the Temple
Natural-gas Company. 1t directors
did not think it worth while
to correct the error, as they considered well the
uncertainties attending the enterprise. About
three weeks ago the work of drilling began on
the land once known the Spahr farm. The
surface Indications were not favorable
those of many wells which either came in with
very limited flow of gas proved to be dry
holes. 1t was difficult drilling for the first $50
feet. for that distance nothing but quick
sand found. The sand passed the
work went along more rapidly. but moth
ing appeared to encourage the prospectors until
within a very few feet of Trenton rock. Some
signs of gas were then noticed but not enough
to make it even a hopeful experiment. On Sun
day morning. however. the drill touched the
rock at 920 feet and the moment it entered it
the certainty of gas find apparent in a
strong odor that came from the we'll. The drill
went nine inches further. and then could be
heard a rumblng noise in the tubing, indicating
more than the average pressure
of the wells so far sunk in
this region. Work ceased until Yesterday
morning when the drill went six feet three
inches more into the rock, when it was evident
that the gas reservoir had been passed. Be-
yond seven feet the absence of gas was noted
and the drill stopped. The gentleman inter
ested in the we'll SAYS it is good one, and will
compare favorahly with the best in the country,
but of them consider themselves compe-
tent to give it's capacity even by approximation
They know they have gas. and claim that
it is in paying quantities. 1t has
strengthened their confidence in the bearing
character of their leased lands In that neighbor-
hood. On the Tenn pleton Spahr farm alone,
they have the right to two hundred acres, and
on this land they propose to sink more wells on
the strength of their first drilling.
1t is given out that the Templeton farm gas
has very strong odor, and that it's flame emits
a smoke, two characteristics observable in the
gas from the FIndlay, o.. wells. 1t is
also claimed that the odor and
smoke indications of oil in that vicinity.
While the we'll is not wonder. the prospectors
are satisfied with it. The gentlemen who have
this enterprise in charge well equipped, so
far as means are concerned, to carry their ex-
periments to any limit Among the leading
stockholders are w. r. McKeen, of Terre Haute;
Moses Fowler and A R. Ramsey, of Lafayette;
Franklin Landers. who is president of the COM
pany; Albert Baker. the secretary; Frank Tay
lor Oscar B. Hord and Abram w. Hendricks, of
this city.
Last night Judge Marlendale returned from
Greenfield. The Greenfield WELL" he said in
answer to question, rs completed. Trenton
rock was struck on Saturday evening at depth
of 9S6 feet. At four feet in the Trenton
flow of gas issued from the we'll This
continued to increase slightly progressed
into the Trenton twenty five feet The well is not
what we expected. 1t is not such we'll
hoped to get for the purpose of piping gas into
Indianapolis. 1t is about half good
the Greenfield well. The long line of
gas-vielding Trenton will probably
make it good we'll to increase. but whether it
will be advisable to shoot 1t not is to be con-
sidered The well will not do to base pipe
line upon but it will do to join with other
and better wells. 1t is now 1016 feet deep. 1t
is about the same in character the we'll at
the Harris farm and the Fisher WELL"